A biography of the late Queen Elizabeth II claims she made a sharp six-word remark about Donald Trump’s marriage to Melania Trump.
During his 2020 presidential campaign, Trump was hosted by the Queen twice in her extraordinary 70-year reign. Known for her discretion and subtle diplomacy, the monarch rarely revealed her personal views.
But author Craig Brown, in his book A Voyage Around The Queen, alleges that just weeks after Trump’s first visit, the Queen shared her thoughts during a private lunch. It comes after Donald Trump and Melania’s unusual sleeping arrangements at Windsor Castle were revealed.
According to the book, which was serialized in the Daily Mail, she speculated that Trump “must have some sort of arrangement” with Melania as she quietly questioned their relationship. The book also suggests that she reportedly took issue with his habit of constantly looking over her shoulder as if he were “in search of others more interesting”.
The author notes: “Over the course of her reign, Her Majesty entertained many controversial foreign leaders, including Bashar al-Assad, Robert Mugabe, Idi Amin, Donald Trump, Emperor Hirohito and Vladimir Putin. She may not have found their company convivial; upon their departure, she may even have voiced a discreet word of disapproval.”, reports the Mirror.
“A few weeks after President Trump’s visit, for instance, she confided in one lunch guest that she found him “very rude”: she particularly disliked the way he couldn’t stop looking over her shoulder, as though in search of others more interesting. She also believed President Trump “must have some sort of arrangement” with his wife Melania, or else why would she have remained married to him? For his part, Donald Trump was confident he had been her favourite guest ever.”
The late monarch and Mr Trump initially encountered each other in 2018, a year following his swearing-in as the 45th US President. Furious about his arrival, demonstrators flooded London’s streets carrying a massive balloon portraying him as an infant, which received official authorization to soar overhead.
While technically deemed a state visit, it was labeled a “working visit” in an attempt to reduce friction.
The president instead met with the Queen for afternoon tea at Windsor Castle, complete with an inspection of a guard of honor, though no other senior royals were in attendance. The encounter sparked controversy after Mr Trump allegedly kept the then 92-year-old monarch waiting for 10 minutes in 80-degree heat before being observed repeatedly stepping ahead of her during their review of the guard of honor.
Trump then halted suddenly, completely obstructing the Queen and compelling her to step aside to rejoin him. Buckingham Palace sources revealed that Mr Trump was a ‘model’ guest who displayed politeness and charm toward staff members.
A year later he made his return to the UK for an official state visit, where he, his four children and their spouses attended a State Banquet.
Circumstances were vastly different this time around, as the then 73 year old reportedly demonstrated exemplary conduct.
The duo also met face-to-face in Portsmouth days afterward to honor the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
Trump subsequently bragged about his “great relationship with the Queen”.
In an interview with Fox News, he enthused: “We were laughing and having fun. And her people said she hasn’t had so much fun in 25 years.
“Then I got criticized for it because they said we were having too much fun… I feel I know her so well and she certainly knows me very well right now, but we have a very good relationship with the United Kingdom.”